Herbs
BY ROD MICHAEL
The new growing and grilling season is upon us. Nothing is more fun, OR easy to grow and incorporate into a sumptuous meal, than an Herb.
qbest part about growing herbs is that you don’ t
have to use environmentally disruptive chemicals to protect them and they can be grown in a myriad of locations. Herbs predate written history. The use of herbs was less for cooking and more so, as a response to the harmful potential of foodborne pathogens. As a result, the tropical environments where pathogens are more prevalent, have been then source of the world’ s spiciest foods.
Clay tablets that have been discovered dating back over 5000 years, list hundreds of medicinal plants and many are the herbs we know today. Herbs can be ingested whole to treat injuries and illness. They can be applied topically as a skin treatment with essential oil extracts to create creams, lotions, balms, salves, soaps and oils. Herbs can be used in aromatherapy to combat pain and anxiety while reducing stress and promoting relaxation through the olfactory senses.
So, lets get back to growing, harvesting and cooking with herbs. Many herbs can be grown all year round and will save you from buying expensive supermarket produce. When creating your herb garden you must decide what herbs you are going to grow and which herbs are annual, biennial or perennial.
Ideally herbs should be grown in a sunny, sheltered location with well drained soil. If you have heavy clay soil, then you’ ll have to incorporate some grit, organic matter, rotted manure or some compost. You may to elect to grow some herbs in a raised bed to ensure good drainage, but they can be grown in containers, if space is a consideration. Your containers can be used inside or out. If you have the space I would highly recommend a dedicated herb garden. If you do not have the space you can elect to grow them amongst your flowers, being that they come in an array of different foliage and flower colors and they can be both decorative and for culinary purposes. Don’ t forget that the best soil pH for growing herbs is neutral to alkaline although most herbs will tolerate a slightly acidic soil.
Growing herbs in pots and containers as I said, is a great way to grow fresh produce, if space is limited. Place them outside your back door for easy harvesting when cooking. I have a mixed herb container right near my grill. Choose relatively deep pots especially for large shrubby herbs such as rosemary or sage. The best compost to grow herbs in is loam-based. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer and don’ t over-feed. Make sure you have drainage holes to prevent water logging.
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